Chief Director of Advanced Automotive Lighting and Signaling Solutions

Lead Automotive Lighting and Signaling Innovator

Achieve strategic technology leadership and direction in developing advanced automotive lighting and signaling systems.

The ideal candidate will drive innovation, ensure compliance with global standards, and strengthen the organization's competitive edge through cutting-edge, sustainable, and intelligent illumination technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement a technology strategy for lighting & signaling systems aligned with business goals.

• Anticipate industry trends such as LED, OLED, Laser, Adaptive Matrix Lighting, Digital Lighting, and V2X light communication.

• Develop a long-term roadmap for interior and exterior lighting and signaling technologies supporting safety, sustainability, and electrification.

Technology Leadership and Innovation

• Lead global R&D programs for headlamps, tail lamps, DRLs, indicators, interior illumination, and ambient lighting.

• Drive innovation in smart and connected signaling systems (e.g., communication through lighting for ADAS & autonomous vehicles).

• Oversee prototype development, validation, and industrialization.

• Establish strong IP generation (patents, designs, trademarks) to secure market leadership.

Product Development and Engineering Excellence

• Guide engineering teams in developing high-performance, cost-efficient, and reliable products.

• Foster a culture of design for manufacturability, modular platforms, and scalable solutions.

• Promote the use of new materials, optical designs, and semiconductor-based technologies.

• Enhance integration of electronics, sensors, and software-defined lighting functions.

Standards, Compliance, and Quality

• Assure compliance with ECE, SAE, FMVSS, and other regional homologation standards.

• Drive quality processes including APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, PFMEA, ISO 9001, IATF 16949.

• Establish strong validation frameworks for safety, durability, and reliability.

Digital and Smart Technologies

• Integrate AI, IoT, and software-based control systems for adaptive and intelligent lighting/signaling.

• Drive vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) signaling innovations.

• Collaborate with ADAS and EV platform teams for seamless system integration.

Talent Development and Leadership

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing engineering and R&D team.

• Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous learning.

• Promote cross-functional and global collaboration across R&D hubs.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electronics, Electrical, Optoelectronics, Mechanical Engineering or related field.

• Master's degree / PhD in Automotive Engineering, Optics, or Applied Physics preferred.

• Additional certifications in Automotive Standards, Quality Systems, or Technology Management is an advantage.

• 20+ years of overall experience in automotive product development, with at least 10 years in leadership roles.

• Proven track record in automotive lighting and signaling systems (headlamps, tail lamps, DRLs, ambient lighting, signaling electronics).

• Strong experience in leading global R&D and technology organizations.

• Exposure to OEM & Tier-1 collaboration for technology co-development.

• Hands-on involvement in concept-to-launch product development lifecycle.

• Experience with global automotive homologation standards (ECE, SAE, FMVSS).

• Prior experience in managing multi-site engineering teams across geographies is highly desirable.

Technical Skills and Expertise

• Deep knowledge of lighting technologies: LED, OLED, Laser, Matrix/Adaptive Lighting, Digital/Projection Lighting.

• Strong understanding of optics, photometry, electronics, and software-defined lighting systems.

• Expertise in signal and safety systems (turn indicators, brake lights, communication via lighting).

• Familiarity with semiconductors, sensors, driver ICs, thermal management, and material science.

• Strong grounding in DFMEA, PFMEA, APQP, PPAP, ISO 9001, IATF 16949.

• Knowledge of ADAS integration, EV/Autonomous platform requirements, V2X signaling.

Leadership and Strategic Skills

• Visionary mindset with ability to define technology roadmaps and align them with business goals.

• Proven ability to drive innovation, IP creation, and patents.

• Strong stakeholder management skills – OEMs, suppliers, internal teams, and regulatory bodies.

• Demonstrated success in leading global engineering teams, fostering collaboration and innovation.

• Experience in budget planning, R&D investment decisions, and cost optimization.

• Strong communicator with the ability to represent the company in global forums and standardization committees.

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